Stevie targets Stoke victory

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has challenged his teammates to produce momentum during the Christmas period by continuing their recent impressive form against Stoke City on Boxing Day.

The Reds have recorded three victories in their last four Barclays Premier League encounters and now face three fixtures in a week - beginning with a journey to the Potters.

And Gerrard is confident that his team are capable of building a run throughout the festive congestion and creating a springboard for progress during the remainder of the campaign.

The captain told the Liverpool Echo: "This Christmas period is an important part of the season. It can make a big difference to your league position.

"The table is so compact that if you can string two or three wins together you can make real progress up the table. Vice versa, if we don't build on the result against Fulham we could slip back down into mid-table.

"The games come thick and fast at this time of year and we need to get some momentum over the festive period. Villa was a missed opportunity but we've got ourselves back on track against Fulham.

"Stoke, QPR and then Sunderland - on paper these are fixtures we should be getting points from. But it won't just happen for us. We have to put the hard work in and earn the right."

That hard work starts with Stoke, who left Anfield with a goalless draw earlier in the season - but Gerrard believes a combination of character and possession can secure three points for the travellers.

"We know what to expect and it will certainly be a different test to the Fulham game. Stoke will go into it on the back of a good draw at Tottenham which extended their good run," the No.8 continued.

"There's no doubt they are a very difficult side to play against. They are very well organised and very good defensively.

"That was the story when they came to Anfield earlier this season. We struggled to break them down and they got their point.

"Being at home, they will have to come out a bit more this time and try to beat us. Their fans always make a lot of noise there and really get behind them.

"If we let Stoke bully us in the first 15 to 20 minutes then it's going to be a tough night for us. We have to stand up and be counted. As a team we have to be brave and show character.

"I know we can do that. We have players who can fight and look after themselves. We have to win our battles. If we do that and when we have possession we play our football then I'm confident we can come away with a decent result. We're going there to win."

The midfielder also highlighted the form of colleague Stewart Downing, who laid on a goal for Gerrard against Fulham before smashing home one of his own during the 4-0 rout on Saturday.

"I was pleased for Stewart and it was no surprise to me as I've seen him perform like that many times throughout his career," said Gerrard.

"He's had a tough time but credit to him because he hasn't felt sorry for himself. He has rolled his sleeves up to try to prove people wrong.

"It wasn't just Saturday, in the past few games, whether he's been at left-back or further forward, he has done well. He has created chances for the team and has been posing a threat. We all need to carry on where we left off against Fulham."